Hindu Wedding Ceremony

There are sixteen important sacraments that a Hindu must make.
"Sansakaras" means sacraments. A Hindu wedding is considered one of
the most important of the Hindu sanskars. Traditionally the
ceremony takes place in the bride's city of birth. The bride is the
Dulhan and the groom is the Dulha. The service is officiated by a
Brahmin priest.

At the ceremony, the mother of the bride greets the groom and
places rori, which is vermillion powder on his head and an arti, is
performed. An arti is an act of praise. She then takes him to the
Mandap. The Mandap is a religious canopy where the four posts are
blessed.

The bride is taken to the Mandap with her Mama, who is the uncle
on her mother's side. This is after the garlanding ceremony. After
the "Kanya Daam" which means giving away the bride, the wedding
ceremony commences.

Vivahik Homa means invoking the sacred fire. It involves the
Agni, which means fire and represents happiness and knowledge.
Offerings are placed into the fire. The Agni Panikram involves the
couple circling the fire. This is an important part of the
ceremony, and the couple circles around the fire seven times, six
of which are led by the bride and the last time is led by the
groom. It is a Hindu belief that the moon shelters the bride in the
first seven years of her marriage. Following that, the sun protects
her for the next seven years and then Agni shields her.

Saptapadi involves the couple taking seven steps around the
fire. This represents the blessing of the gods for food,
friendship, life, pregnancy, prosperity, religion and strength.
Saubhagya Chinha involves the blessing of the bride. The groom
presents her with a sacred necklace called a mangalasutra and puts
sindoor, vermillion powder, on her head.

The ceremony continues with Hridaya-Sparsha, where the couple
figuratively touch each other's hearts. During Anna-Prashan, the
bride feeds the groom. Purnauti notes the end of the ceremony where
the Priest prays over the couple and guests throw rice and flower
petals for good luck.